Khaled Hosseini is one of the most beloved authors of the 21st century; he is certainly one of my all time favourites.
The cinematic quality of his writing has ensured that his novels The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and And The Mountains Echoed have touched the lives of many and continues to wow readers today from all over the world. Aside from his notable literary achievements, Hosseini is a committed activist, passionate about the rights of refugees through his work as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN's Refugee Agency UNHCR. He has even founded his own non-profit organisation called The Khaled Hosseini Foundation which provides humanitarian assistance for those affected by years of conflict in Afghanistan.
Hosseini's latest book takes a slightly different form from his previous works. Taking inspiration from the story of the three year old Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi, whose lifeless body was found washed up on a Turkish beach three years ago, Hosseini dedicates his short story to the thousands of refugees who perish at sea fleeing conflict, persecution and oppressive regimes. The moving tale of Sea Prayer is narrated by Marwan's father, who talks to his sleeping son on a moonlit beach as they wait for dawn to break and a boat to arrive. His reflections on the Syria they left behind and the Syria his son will never get the chance to come back and visit one day are brought to life by Dan Williams' gorgeous illustrations.
I'm so thankful that Hosseini decided to write this book. I have relentlessly grappled with feelings of guilt and frustration when I think of the thousands of other Aylan Kurdi's who do not make front page news. The war is ongoing and so too is the plight of nearly an entire country made homeless, who are prepared to take the dangerous voyage across the Mediterranean in their search for sanctuary and a new life. Above all, this short story is a politically potent reminder that it is people at the heart of the statistics we see, used by far-right politicians to prop up their populist agendas. It turns out, these are people who are not so 'other' after-all.
I'm so thankful that Hosseini decided to write this book. I have relentlessly grappled with feelings of guilt and frustration when I think of the thousands of other Aylan Kurdi's who do not make front page news. The war is ongoing and so too is the plight of nearly an entire country made homeless, who are prepared to take the dangerous voyage across the Mediterranean in their search for sanctuary and a new life. Above all, this short story is a politically potent reminder that it is people at the heart of the statistics we see, used by far-right politicians to prop up their populist agendas. It turns out, these are people who are not so 'other' after-all.
The publisher donates £1 from the sale of each book to UNHCR, to protect and support refugees and other forcibly displaced people globally.
Antonia x
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